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#2271566 KorakFrostfang View Profile	Possible tail rot? Hello, I have a Niger Uromastyx acquired at a local reptile show a few weeks back, and he really doesnt seem to be doing all that well. His appetite is non existant, his tail looks pretty bad, theres dark black pustous growths, the end of his tail actually came off, and the very end of it now is soft and has a pus coming from it, as does a black tumor looking lump on his hip area. 1) How long have you owned the animal Two and a half weeks or so. 2) Dimensions of the enclosure you are using. Measure it- do not guess or give gallon size Standard 40 breeder at 38-18-17 3) Species (if known), length, and weight of the animal Niger Uro. Length is 10 inches with tail, 6 without tail. Weight is unknown 4) Listing of all animals kept in the enclosure referred to in the post Only the single uro 5) Basking spot temperature and how that temperature was measured Basking temp is 118-122 depending on the temp of the room. I use standard thermometers, as well as an IR gun 6) Temperature throughout the rest of the enclosure (warm and cool areas) and how these temperatures were measured e.g. digital thermometer, stick on dial thermometer. Provide the nighttime temperatures as well. The cool end stays at around 85. Same methods of checking heat. 7) Acknowledge whether you are using a UVB bulb and if so, the brand, age of bulb, and distance from the bulb to the uromastyx I use a UVB, the Zilla 30inch or so strip light, its less than a month old and ~17 inches 8) Diet items being fed and how often each item is fed Fed daily with a mixture of~ Bok Choy, baby lettuces fresh alfalfa sprouts and fresh, holistically grown dandelion root 9) List of the supplements being used, how much is used, and how often the supplement is used Repti-cal once every three days 10) Type of substrate (cage bottom material). If this is sand, state whether it is calcium sand Pretty bird brand bird seed(Finch) 11) Describe your animal’s daily routine. When it exits the hide, when it retreats for the night, how long it is usually out throughout the day, is it active during this time, how much time does it spend sitting on the basking spot…. Mostly lethargic, lays under the basking area fairly constantly, does not often move much. 12) Describe your animal’s appetite. Appetite has been lax since day one, and within the last week has become non existent 13) Describe any unusual behaviors you are seeing or any recent changes in behavior. Also note whether any recent modifications have been made to this animal’s environment. e.g new enclosure, move to another room, new heat bulb.... Only had my setup for a month or so, nothing has changed in him, or it 14) Describe how often this animal is handled and the type of handling. Daily for 5-10 minutes, normally twice a day, slow movements, offering a cupped hand for him to "burrow" if/when he feels threatened/afraid 15) State whether the animal has been to a vet, when that was, and whether the animal was diagnosed with a medical condition. Also state whether the uromastyx has ever had a fecal check. If so states when the fecal check was done, what was found, and if medication was prescribed. No, not yet.
06/28/12  09:54pm
#2271568 Vers View Profile	Message To: KorakFrostfang   In reference to Message Id: 2271566  Possible tail rot? While I can’t say for sure it does appear to be tail rot or some sort of infection. I would recommend scheduling an apt with a vet who specializes in herps ASAP. I would also recommend only handling to and from the vet. Once back home, place news paper around the entire tank and leave the animal alone. Given the animal’s current state, stress can prove fatal. Could you please post a few full length shots of the uro and tank setup in the meantime?
06/28/12  10:26pm
#2271573 KorakFrostfang View Profile	Message To: Vers   In reference to Message Id: 2271568  Possible tail rot? Tank, before i added birdseed instead of the crushed walnut Tank at night. I have a uvb strip light over the back of the tank, over the skull there is the basking light, and over the opposing side is the red night light Former two were from day one when i got him(still had sand) The next few are all current.
06/28/12  10:45pm
#2271577 Vers View Profile	Message To: KorakFrostfang   In reference to Message Id: 2271573  Possible tail rot? Yea...it definitely took a turn for the worse. There are several things wrong with your setup and husbandry that may have contributed. Your uvb bulb is way too far away. 10.0 or 12% uvb fluorescent bulbs need to be within 12" of the animal to be effective. At 17" it is essentially only providing light and not nearly enough uvb to be useful. I’m also unfamiliar with the bulb itself. Another issue is your night cycle supplemental heat option. Studies have shown uros can see the red light spectrum, therefore these bulbs, among all others, should not be used during a night cycle, which requires total darkness. If you need to provide heat at night a ceramic heat emitter would be the way to go, imo. While the animal has a hide to offer shelter, it should have several spread throughout the enclosure. You should also provide a proper basking surface. This surface should retain heat well and should allow the animal to spread out both directly beneath the heat source as well as off to the side. As for measuring temps, those analog thermometers are not a very accurate way to be doing so. I would suggest picking up a decent digital thermometer to cover ambient temps using the IR temp gun to measure surface temps. Changing these things will help, especially in the long run, but you need to get the uro to a specialist in order to have any chance of that happening. The uro should be professionally treated not only for the tail issue bit also for malnutrition as well as probable parasites. Good luck and be sure to keep in touch. I hope its able to make a full recovery.
06/28/12  11:13pm
#2271578 Vers View Profile	Message To: Vers   In reference to Message Id: 2271577  Possible tail rot? Also, have you soaked the uro at all?
06/28/12  11:20pm
#2271580 KorakFrostfang View Profile	Message To: Vers   In reference to Message Id: 2271578  Possible tail rot? I appreciate all that information, and will alter the tank immediately. I work at a Petco, actually and our vet is coming in tomorrow morning, so I can discuss the issue with him, hopefully. I have not soaked him, as I have heard it could lead to fungal infections.
06/28/12  11:38pm
#2271601 Vers View Profile	Message To: KorakFrostfang   In reference to Message Id: 2271580  Possible tail rot? While some people will soak their uros (many knowing the right/only way to do so) it is not a recommended process to the average keeper due not only to possible fungal issues but also due to accidental inhalation, which can lead to more serious issues like a respiratory infection. This is why you will see a common sentiment in regards to bathing/soaking around here. That said, I’m still not sure of where your uro could have picked up tail rot from unless the tank is overly humid, though I suppose with a weakened immune system infections are much more likely. In any case please let me know how the vet visit goes--hopefully he/she is one of the ones that knows what they are doing.
06/29/12  10:15am

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